Traveling from Aquia Harbour to Portsmouth Heights covers 159.1 miles across Virginia, typically taking about 3 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the trek. The route primarily utilizes I-95, I-64, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this drive offers a practical connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.6 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
62.7 mi
1h 9m
I 95
57.8 mi
1h 3m
Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
14m
Hampton Roads Beltway
12.1 mi
15m
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
4.3 mi
5m
Portsmouth Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
Washington Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Richmond Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aquia Harbour, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA.
1
Start on Aquia Drive
376 ft·16 sec·Aquia Drive
2
Turn left onto Richmond Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Richmond Drive
3
Turn right onto Washington Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Washington Drive
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on SR 610
0.2 mi·21 sec·Garrisonville Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 95: I-95 south
6
Merge onto I 95
9.2 mi·10 min·I 95
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
49 mi·53 min·I 95
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
1.9 mi·2 min
Exit 84AToward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va BeachUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 295
13 mi·14 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia BeachUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 64
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·36 sec
Exit 264Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, ChesapeakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 664
6.1 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 664
4.3 mi·5 min·Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
15
Continue on I 664
5.9 mi·7 min·Hampton Roads Beltway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 11BToward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, PortsmouthUse the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto VA 337
3.5 mi·6 min·Portsmouth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Byers Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Byers Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Vick Street
464 ft·20 sec·Vick Street
20
Arrive at destination
Vick Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since the route is relatively short, a single well-timed stop is usually sufficient to refresh yourself before finishing the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping the $25 estimate in mind, though it is always wise to fill up before hitting the busiest stretches of the interstate. Because you will spend most of your time on I-95 and I-64, check for construction or congestion reports on these specific highways before you leave your driveway. Utilizing that one planned stop effectively will help you maintain comfort for the final leg into Portsmouth Heights.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.6 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portsmouth Heights, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aquia Harbour, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aquia Harbour, VA
This is one driving day of about 159.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Aquia Harbour, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 155 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Washington Drive
Turn right onto Washington Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 84A
Toward I 295 South: Williamsburg, Norfolk, Va B...
8
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 64 East: Norfolk, Virginia Beach
8
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suffolk, Chesapeake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 264
Toward I 664 South: Downtown Newport News, Suff...
8
155 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Portsmouth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 11B
Toward VA 337 East: Portsmouth Boulevard, Ports...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.88 one way
$49.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.20
$54.41
premium
$4.70
$29.45
$58.89
diesel
$5.61
$35.13
$70.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.71
$7.64
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.92
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Aquia Harbour, VA
Morning
in Aquia Harbour on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Portsmouth Heights, VA
Morning
in Portsmouth Heights on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Williamsburg, VA
80 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colonial National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that...
Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escapi...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 137.2
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 76.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed transit, as 76% of your total mileage is spent on major highways. The experience is largely an interstate grind, focused on efficiency rather than winding backroads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 62.7 miles while navigating I-64. As you transition between these primary arteries, you will notice the road surface and traffic patterns shift, though the focus remains squarely on getting you to your destination as quickly as possible. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that requires steady attention throughout the 159.1-mile journey.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.7 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Washington Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 159.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Washington Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Aquia Harbour, VA and Portsmouth Heights, VA, road signs point toward Norfolk, Va Beach, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake.
Norfolk
59.3 mi in|~1h 7m
Va Beach
59.3 mi in|~1h 7m
Virginia Beach
74.2 mi in|~1h 23m
Suffolk
138.1 mi in|~2h 36m
Chesapeake
138.1 mi in|~2h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 159.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.7 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Portsmouth Heights, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Washington Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colonial National Historical Park, Fort Monroe National Monument and Petersburg National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Portsmouth Heights, VA, but most travelers stay overnight.
